William Keadance BELL

Regimental number8/734
Date of birth19 November 1893
Place of birthScotland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarm labourer
Addressc/o John McCallum, Brown's
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 6.5"
Weight152 lbs
Next of kinF Bell, Forest Hill, Brown's
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Place of enlistmentInvercargill
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rankPrivate
Final unitOtago Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 1 February 1919
Discharge date13 April 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Admitted to NZ Mounted Field Ambulance, 7 August 1915 (diarrhoea); transferred to 15th Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 9 August 1915; discharged from Convalescent Depot, 27 September 1915; rejoined unit, 31 September 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 28 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Appointed Company Cook, 10 March 1916.

Embarked Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 6 April 1916.

On leave to United Kingdom, 11 August 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 25 August 1917.

Detached to 2nd Brigade School, 24 November 1917; rejoined unit, 5 January 1918.

On leave to Paris, 19 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 1 March 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 29 August 1918; rejoined unit (date illegible).

Relinquished appointment of Cook, 26 December 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HMNZT 'Hororata', 1 February 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 13 April 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 238 days (of which 4 years 151 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805